Page 58 of Love in Development

Chapter 18

“Is he dying?Are youdying?”

I spun my chair to face Lin, who had rushed into the room behind me.Followed closely by Charisse.

“Did he lose his legs?Is he in a coma?Is he breaking up with you?Was the whole thing a scam?Does he want to marry you?Are you getting fired?Is he your brother?”

We both stared at Charisse.

Though she had a point about getting fired.I was pretty sure I was supposed to work today at the school bookstore.My new job away from home.It wasn’t as great as DragonByte—no boss could be as cool as Buzz—but it had a flexible schedule.

“You’ve been watching too many C Dramas.They’re starting to affect your brain.”Lin shook her head.“So, since neither of you is dying...why’d you scream?”

“I have a date for the homecoming dance.”I gripped the arms of my chair, trying to contain myself.I had never been on a date.And while this would be my second dance, it would be the first time I had gone with a guy.

“So, you already met online?”

“Is he dreamy?Is he just okay but with attractive features?Is he ugly, but you want to act like you are above such things?Is he totally hot?Is he completely mediocre?”She leaned further forward over my chair with each question.

I shook my head, and my face heated as if I’d just walked through afire curse sigil.“I don’t know.”

Lin’s eyes narrowed.She stood with one hip out and her arms crossed.Her fingers tapped on her arm.“I thought the plan was to meet online.”

“That was the original plan.But I knew as soon as we saw each other, he’d figure it out.He’s not blind.So, when I mentioned I was also going to SCAD, he asked me to the dance.And I said yes.”

“But you know nothing about him.What if this is aCarriesituation?Or he’s a serial killer?Or he is super ugly and you have to dance with him all night?What if he follows you home?”

“Charisse, your imagination is endless.That is why you guys are my backup.We’re meeting at the dance.It’s a public space with tons of people, and you guys can check him out.Plus, he’s willing to meet me sight unseen.I think that earns him a few points.Don’t you?”

“That’s fair.But you know what this means, don’t you?”Charisse squealed with delight and jumped up and down.She clapped her hands together.Her head bobbed from side to side as she spoke.“Shopping.We’re all going to need new dresses!And maybe shoes.I love shopping.I adore shopping.I live for shopping.”

I hesitated for a moment.Shopping again?So soon?But I had to look my best.

“Yes, yes, yes.We get it, Charisse.”Lin turned to me with a raised eyebrow.She had the most expressive eyebrows.

I gave her a nod.I was sure about this.

“Then we’d better go shopping.I have stuff going on this afternoon—”